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All General announcements and news in Calgary bridal guide

“THE BEST DAY EVER!” Wedding Giveaway

If you are a unique, thoughtful, creative couple, this wedding giveaway is for you! Mountain based wedding planner Cherry Tree Occasions has teamed up with Julie Williams Photography to give away a $4000.00 in wedding goodies!!

You see, both companies love working with really fun couples, and instead of waiting for you to come to them, they’ve decided to find you by offering $2,000.00 worth of planning & design services, and $2,000.00 of photography services.

Starting May 7th you’ll have to scour their websites for a tip of the day, and a photo of the day. After 5 days you’ll submit all of your answers. You’ll also have to tell them why your wedding day is going to be the best day ever! Then, they’ll pick the couple with the most wow factor!

This contest is going to be open to brides getting married in the Canadian Rockies between now and December 2013. Full contest details are now released so head over to the Cherry Tree Occasions Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/CherryTreeOccasions for updates & details!

Don’t forget, the give-away starts May 7th!!

Filed Under: Blog, Home, News

2012 Floral Trends: Sarah Mayerson Design

For many brides, flowers can be the trickiest part of your day. A critical decor element, flowers can seem like the one variable you can not control. Every worry from as big as what if it’s a bad growing season to the smallest detail (what if I order cobalt blue and I end up with indigo?!) Flowers add so much depth, so much texture, so much ambiance to a room – flowers are with you from the minute you start your walk down the aisle until you toss your bouquet and drive off into the sunset.

Such a critical variable means finding a vendor that is knowledgeable, honest, reliable and open. A great florist will help advise you on how to achieve your vision – not bowl you over with how they think your centre pieces or bouquets should look! We a had a chance to catch up with Sarah Mayerson of Sarah Mayerson Design, one of Calgary’s busiest floral designers. Sarah is multi-talented, as a certified event planner and Dutch trained florist, her guidance and advice in creating perfect florals for your day will come from an understanding of the need for every detail.

We got to pick Sarah’s brain about upcoming trends, details brides should think about, what being Dutch certified means and how best to prepare when meeting your florist for the first time, !

Photo Credit: As I See it Photography

1. What is the “hot” colour for spring/summer 2012 weddings? For 2012 weddings, I’m finding a lot of couples are going with neutral palettes of white, ivory, creams, champagne, and soft grey tones and adding in touches of colors like soft peach, midnight blue, and pear green tones. This plays off the vintage and eclectic trends really nicely. I am also seeing a lot of metallic and jewel tones with amethyst purple as a consistently popular color carried through the last two years.

Photo Credit: As I See it Photography

2. Is there a flower that has grown substantially in popularity in the last few years? Garden roses have become really popular over the last year, and luckily they are becoming more readily available through growers in South America and Holland. They make great additions to bouquets and arrangements for vintage or garden style weddings and come in a number of pretty colors. They are also a perfect substitute bloom for peonies which have a very short growing season but are on the wish lists of many brides.

Photo Credit: Chantal Milaine Photography

3. What should brides think of for a versatile flower that is sometimes overlooked? Carnations have had a bad rap for a very long time and most brides have an aversion to them without understanding how awesome they are! They come in a variety of vibrant and modern colors, are extremely cost effective, have great texture, and are very long lasting. When used in mixed arrangements or bouquets, most people don’t even know they are there.

Photo Credit: Photobolic

4. What are some unique non-floral pieces that you like to use to compliment arrangements? I love using non-floral elements to really personalize wedding flowers. To enhance natural and rustic bouquets I like to use ostrich and pheasant feathers, lotus and poppy pods, curly willow and birch pieces, and live plants like succulents or herbs. For the more vintage style weddings I like to use antique brooches, pearl strands, buttons, and pieces of lace and fabrics nestled amongst the blooms.

Photo Credit: 6:8 Photography

5. What should brides come prepared with when they meet for a first consultation? For a floral consultation it is always helpful to bring along any photos you have found of bouquets and floral arrangements that you either love or hate – this gives me a really good idea of your style. Other helpful items include images of your dress and bridesmaid dresses, fabric swatches or color chips, a sample of your invitation etc. All of these things will give an idea of the look and feel you are trying to achieve for your big day, and will help me to suggest flowers and vases to compliment all of your selections.

Photo Credit: Photobolic

6. You are trained in Dutch floral design – what does that mean? In 2006, I studied at Boerma Instituut which is an international floral design school in Aalsmeer, Holland. I graduated with my Masters Diploma in Dutch Floral Design. This type of floral design is very focused on specific technique, and there is also a large focus placed on flower knowledge and color theory. With it being an international school it was also very beneficial and inspiring to learn from my classmates who came from countries such as Japan, Nigeria, Indonesia, and all throughout Europe.

Filed Under: Blog

A little something extra special: Sante Spa

Beauty routines are a big part of any brides life. Not just brides – any humans life. Whether its that special face wash that your mom’s friend’s sister makes out of her house in Saskatchewan (the only cleanser that doesn’t make you break out), the leave in conditioner treatment you use every second week or the sensitive eye make up you are the most comfortable, looking your best on the outside has a big affect. It makes you feel even better on the inside.

For my wedding, my beauty routine was a little unorthodox (please, I know you won’t find that surprising). I was obsessed with growing out my hair, which was already past my shoulder blades when I started. I wanted my hair to be shiny and thick and gorgeous. I did tons of reading on the internet about home remedies that would give me my dream wedding locks. After ruling out regular mayonnaise treatments and brushing 100 strokes on either side of my head every day, I ended up religiously taking a pre-natal vitamin after reading about how strong they make your hair (and nails!). The lesson from that rather silly story is that it doesn’t matter what you are doing to make yourself beautiful on the outside, as long as it is helping make you feel beautiful, confident and excited on the inside, it’s what counts.

Sante Spa is a medical day spa – the first of it’s kind in Canada, as a matter of fact. A soothing and relaxing spa like experience that goes beyond basic facials, Sante Spa provides minimal, non invasive treatments that help bring out the very best in your beauty. Calgary brides come to be treated for everything from little sun spots from too many teenage hours in the tanning beds to laser hair removal to ironing out those extra laugh lines from all those late nights laughing with girlfriends.

With a staff of incredible doctors that provide medical consultations, as well as a full range of treatments, skin analysis and photo imaging, you’ll leave Sante Spa feeling like the absolute best version of you.

Sante Spa is a medical spa – what’s the difference between a medical spa and a regular spa? A medical spa offers Medical Aesthetics such as Botox, fillers, Laser Treatments etc to complement the spa services offered.

What’s the most common treatment brides come in for? It depends on the brides needs. Laser Hair removal is always popular, and we are seeing younger brides come in for Laser treatments to remove sunspots or to treat acne, but are seeing an increase in those seeking preventative measures – Botox and fillers to rejuvenate, and treatments such as Thermage CPT to increase collagen. We also offer CoolSculpting, a fat freezing treatment to help contour the body and get rid of love handles and tummy bulges.

Should brides come in a few months before their wedding in case they need multiple treatments? Yes – definitely. Just as you would never get a facial the day before the wedding, you should come up to 6 months before the wedding as you may require several treatments to get the results you desire…

Your Group Spa-ing packages are perfect for bridal parties – what can a group of girls expect when they come in? We have several group packages to cater to the needs of brides and their bridal parties. Guests can relax in our lounge by the fireplace and enjoy refreshments, we also offer two getaway packages for groups to enjoy.

How far ahead should brides call to book an appointment? Guests should call ahead to book individual spa treatments, and at least a week ahead for group treatments. During our busy times (Christmas, Major holidays) you may wish to book up to a month ahead to guarantee availability.

Check out their Ask the Doctor page for more answers to questions you may have!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Article, Posts by Alix

A photo-worthy arrival

After my rant last week, I thought I would stick to lighter fair for todays post. We talk about so many things for wedding days – but a critical detail that always seem to slip my mind is how exactly do you plan on getting there?

There are a few extremely reliable and traditional options to get you safe and sound to the church on time. Rented cars, limousines, vintage cars, even party buses are great.

But what’s Wednesday’s with Alix without a little fun? Lets explore some less traditional methods of transportation and the potential for wow factor behind them.

Horse and carriage – so traditional is has become untraditional. This is a classic way to arrive, it’s a big attention grabber too. Can you picture yourself? Cruising downtown streets on the way to your nuptials? The truth is, I’m not sure about city permits and what kind of licensing you need to have a horse and carriage drive you from your suburban home to your church downtown, but it’s worth a look at least, non?

Recognize this rather famous scene?

The Calgary Stampede trolley – now, I know Stampede has a trolley. I’ve ridden in it. I love it! I don’t know if Stampede rents out its trolley. Again, untraditional and a big attention grabber, this is also a great mobile to cart you and your bridal party around for wedding photos, as well as makes for perfect setting for some photos as well.

Photo Credit: About Calgary

Vintage Volkswagen beetle – completely covered in pompoms. Like – COMPLETELY. Sure it’s a car like any other car, but it’s also got a great shape to it and is small enough that you theoretically could get the entire thing covered in pompoms – it would almost look like one giant pompom. And decorating the car the job of the best man, so really, your wish is his command.

Picture this, except with a zillion more pompoms!

A bicycle built for two – I see this as a really adorable father-daughter entrance, assuming your Bride Pre-Show Headquarters are two blocks away or less. What you do need to be is whimsical, adorable and funny – what you don’t need to be is sweaty. If you found one you really love, you could even purchase it and give it to your honey as a wedding gift!

Bicycle rickshaw – um yay! These are popular in cities with gentler climates, but I would be surprised if you couldn’t find one in Calgary. These are a great way to see and be seen and maybe if you asked nicely enough, the driver would sport wedding appropriate attire, not a tshirt and beer baseball cap. You hop in the back and some guy peddles you around town – great to arrive and maybe even nice to go for a ride in afterwards, with just you and your honey to savour a few moments together.

Filed Under: Blog, Home, Posts by Alix

All the diamonds in the world–a chat with Ellinor Stenroos of EVStenroos

Ellinor Stenroos has had a great Fall. The Finnish born designer (who was trained as a silversmith as well as a goldsmith and jewellery designer in the UK) had the opportunity to show her jewellery collection EVStenroos at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week with Lauren Bagliore Design House, a thrilling opportunity for a jewellery designer who launched her line only a year ago, in 2010.

“Working with Lauren Bagliore was so exciting.” says Ellinor “It was a great learning curve of working towards a very firm deadline, but also not necessarily only with my own vision, but combining my ideas with hers.”

But Ellinor is no stranger to collaboration – after all, that’s what she does best. As an independent jewellery designer in Calgary, Ellinor has been working with couples for years to help them create stunning one-of-a-kind pieces – less wedding rings and more haute-couture symbols of love.

No vision for your wedding jewellery? No problem. Just a starting point is all that’s needed – maybe you only wear rose gold, maybe you have a stone that has been in your family for years or maybe it’s just a time of year – it’s the things that make you an individual that will help Ellinor create a piece that speaks to you.

So what’s it’s like creating haute-couture bling for brides and runways alike? We asked and Ellinor answered…

You create a lot of custom made pieces – is there a particular material (aside from gold or silver) you like to work?

I really love platinum. I refer to it as the superior of all metals simply because it is so dense and durable… however that should not be confused with ‘hardness’ platinum does scratch just as easily as gold, but I love the idea of having jewellery that is part of your life and every dent or scratch ultimately is just part of the rings life-span and a story of how the owner has used it and worn the ring.

I also like working with palladium because it is a relatively new material in the fine jewellery category; it’s a learning process to utilize the material to its best, but I enjoy being able to offer something new for my clients where the price-point can be in-between silver and gold.

Working with brides and grooms to create wedding bands is a very personal process – how do you get to know a bride and groom?

Because I am self-employed and work out of my home I often get to meet my clients in a more relaxed and personal setting. They either visit me or I visit them in their homes, or at their request we meet up at their favourite coffee shop or bar; which ultimately allows for me to get to know them further. I like learning about my clients and they way that they share their story to me often gives me insight in their life-style, their hobbies and passions. The more I know about their personalities and lives the better I can make suggestions for them in terms of what kind of jewellery to choose and how to design and develop it so that it is going to work for them.

Do you have any tools or advice for couples who have difficulty articulating their vision of their wedding jewellery?

You don’t necessarily need to have a set vision or idea for what kind of jewellery you would like to have. A lot of times a ‘theme’ or a look is enough as a starting point. Definitely if you know your price-point and whether you are looking for a diamond or coloured gemstones is greatly helpful. But I am always more than happy to explore that with the client by doing photo-realistic drawings for them so that they can visualize different styles and designs.

How much time should a couple give you to create their custom pieces?

I would suggest 6 weeks, but if you know exactly what you want and it is do-able, then 4 weeks is plenty. If you are uncertain of what you are looking for completely then it is good to have lots of time to make sure you don’t feel rushed in making a decision.

You recently showed with Lauren Baglior at Toronto Fashion Week – did you bring any inspiration back with you?

It was a university dream come true being able to see my jewellery on an international runway and if anything, I got inspired to continue developing my designs, my brand and my vision.

Runway jewellery is very different from fine jewellery and I will strive towards being able to do both. I have never wanted to focus on wedding and engagement jewellery only, and I think branching out into different practises of my art will make me a better designer and artist. I love the idea of being able to practise within all of those fields; from creating contemporary silverware, to classic fine jewellery as well as avant-garde jewellery and accessories.